Obafemi questions NFF fact-finding committee as ‘jamboree’

Former Super Eagles player Abiodun Obafemi has criticised the Nigeria Football Federation’s new fact-finding committee, describing the exercise as another “jamboree” and questioning what it will achieve.

The NFF formed the six-member panel to examine the recent poor performances of Nigeria’s national teams. Obafemi argues that the problems affecting Nigerian football are already widely understood and do not require another investigation to identify them.

His criticism is directed at the federation’s response as much as the committee itself. He believes the NFF should accept responsibility for its shortcomings and begin addressing them instead of commissioning another process that may end with recommendations but little change.

Obafemi also pointed to the history of similar committees in Nigerian football. In his view, earlier exercises have not delivered the substantial reforms expected by stakeholders, raising concern that the latest panel could produce another report without any meaningful follow-through.

The former international said the federation is already aware of the weaknesses in the administration and development of the sport. He questioned why it should need a committee to identify responsibilities and failures that, in his assessment, have been clear for years.

The panel’s work comes amid wider concerns about Nigeria’s national-team displays, football administration, grassroots development, the domestic game and the sport’s long-term direction. Its findings will therefore be judged not only by the issues it identifies but by whether its recommendations lead to practical reforms.

Some stakeholders have welcomed the attempt to investigate the national teams’ struggles, while others share Obafemi’s doubts about its likely impact. His position is that Nigerian football has received enough explanations and now requires decisions and implementation rather than another cycle of inquiry and reports.